A Field Key for Sea, River and Brook Lamprey Petromyzon Marinus, Lampetra Fluviatilis and L

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Field Key for Sea, River and Brook Lamprey Petromyzon Marinus, Lampetra Fluviatilis and L Identifying Lamprey A Field Key for Sea, River and Brook Lamprey Petromyzon marinus, Lampetra fluviatilis and L. planeri Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Conservation Techniques Series No. 4 Identifying Lamprey A Field Key for Sea, River and Brook Lamprey Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Conservation Techniques Series No. 4 Ross Gardiner Fisheries Research Services For more information on this document, contact: English Nature Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA Email: [email protected] Tel:+44 (0) 1733 455100 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 455103 This document was produced with the support of the European Commission’s LIFE Nature Programme. It was published by Life in UK Rivers, a joint venture involving English Nature (EN), the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). © (Text only) EN, CCW, EA, SEPA, SNH & SNIFFER 2003 ISBN 1 85716 735 X Catalogue code: IN10.8 A full range of Life in UK Rivers publications can be ordered from: The Enquiry Service English Nature Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA Email: [email protected] Tel:+44 (0) 1733 455100 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 455103 This document should be cited as: Gardiner R (2003). Identifying Lamprey. A Field Key for Sea, River and Brook Lamprey. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Conservation Techniques Series No. 4. English Nature, Peterborough. Technical Editor: Lynn Parr Series Ecological Coordinator: Ann Skinner Cover design: Coral Design Management, Peterborough. Printed by Astron Document Services, Norwich, on Revive, 75% recycled post-consumer waste paper, Elemental Chlorine Free. 1M. Cover photo: Erling Svensen/UW Photo Identifying Lamprey Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers This field identification key for sea, river and brook lamprey has been produced as part of Life in UK Rivers – a project to develop methods for conserving the wildlife and habitats of rivers within the Natura 2000 network of protected European sites.The project’s focus has been the conservation of rivers identified as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and of relevant habitats and species listed in annexes I and II of the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (92/43/EEC) (the Habitats Directive). One of the main products is a set of reports collating the best available information on the ecological requirements of each species and habitat, while a complementary series contains advice on monitoring and assessment techniques. Each report has been compiled by ecologists who are studying these species and habitats in the UK, and has been subject to peer review, including scrutiny by a Technical Advisory Group established by the project partners. In the case of the monitoring techniques, further refinement has been accomplished by field-testing and by workshops involving experts and conservation practitioners. Life in UK Rivers is very much a demonstration project, and although the reports have no official status in the implementation of the directive, they are intended as a helpful source of information for organisations trying to set ‘conservation objectives’ and to monitor for ‘favourable conservation status’ for these habitats and species.They can also be used to help assess plans and projects affecting Natura 2000 sites, as required by Article 6.3 of the directive. As part of the project, conservation strategies have been produced for seven different SAC rivers in the UK. In these, you can see how the statutory conservation and environment agencies have developed objectives for the conservation of the habitats and species, and drawn up action plans with their local partners for achieving favourable conservation status. For each of the 13 riverine species and for the Ranunculus habitat, the project has also published tables setting out what can be considered as ‘favourable condition’ for attributes such as water quality and nutrient levels, flow conditions, river channel and riparian habitat, substrate, access for migratory fish, and level of disturbance. ‘Favourable condition’ is taken to be the status required of Annex I habitats and Annex II species on each Natura 2000 site to contribute adequately to ‘favourable conservation status’ across their natural range. Titles in the Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers ecology, monitoring and techniques series are listed inside the back cover of this report, and copies of these, together with other project publications, are available on the project website: www.riverlife.org.uk. 1 Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers 2 Identifying Lamprey Contents INTRODUCTION 5 Identification of ammocoetes 6 Sea lamprey versus river or brook lamprey 6 River versus brook lamprey 6 Identification of transformers 8 Sea lamprey versus river or brook lamprey 8 River versus brook lamprey 8 Existing keys 11 Obtaining samples 11 Examining ammocoetes and transformers in the field 12 Anaesthetising 12 Other examination techniques 13 TRIALS AND VALIDATION OF IDENTIFICATIONS 14 Identification of ammocoetes 14 Sea lamprey versus river or brook lamprey 14 Identification of transformers 14 Sea lamprey versus river or brook lamprey 14 River versus brook lamprey 15 Lessons learned from the trials and validations 16 Key development 16 Best times to carry out survey work 17 Acknowledgements 17 References 18 A FIELD KEY FOR SEA, RIVER AND BROOK LAMPREY 20 3 Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers 4 Identifying Lamprey Introduction Three types of lamprey are found in the UK; the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), the river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and the brook lamprey (L. planeri). Although the two Lampetra forms have traditionally been considered separate taxonomic species, there is some evidence (Schreiber & Engelhorn 1998) that raises questions about whether this view is the correct one, or whether the two types merely represent life history variants operating on the same gene pool. Andy Strevens/Environment Agency Louise Bond/SNH Brian Morland There are three lamprey species found in Britain, all of which spawn in fresh water. Clockwise from top left: sea lamprey, brook lamprey and river lamprey.The brook and river lamprey are termed ‘paired’ species. All lamprey species spawn in fresh water in spring/early summer (depending on species).This is followed by a larval phase spent in suitable silt beds in streams and rivers. Full details of their requirements at that stage are included in Maitland (2003).The larvae are termed ‘ammocoetes’ or ‘ammocoete larvae’. After several years in these silt beds, the ammocoetes cease feeding and start transforming (metamorphosing) in mid- to late summer into adult form with functional eyes and the mouth changed into a sucker (or oral disc) with teeth.The early stages of metamorphosis take place very rapidly, and by September or October, a stage referred to as the ‘macrophthalmia’ (literally, large- 5 Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers eyed) stage, with a well-developed disc and well-developed eyes, is reached. However, in this report, the term ‘transformer’ is generally used to cover all stages from the start of transition to adult form, to either migration to sea or to the clear development of secondary sexual characteristics. Schematic diagrams of an ammocoete and an adult/transformer are given in Key Figure 1 on page 22. A few months or so after the onset of transformation, the river and sea lampreys migrate to the sea. Here they use their suckers, which, by then, have sharp teeth, to prey on other fish for one or more summers before returning to fresh water as full-grown adults to spawn. In contrast, brook lampreys do not feed as adults and remain in fresh water to mature and spawn in the spring. Hardisty (1986a, b, c, d) provides further information on the life histories, while Maitland (2003) provides life histories and ecological requirements for all three species. The aim of the present study was to produce a key suitable for use in the field to identify ammocoetes and transformers as far as possible to the three species found in the UK. Identification of ammocoetes Ammocoetes of either river or brook lamprey are likely to dominate any samples taken in the UK. Those of sea lamprey, if present, are likely to be in much lower numbers (Hardisty 1986b). Sea lamprey versus river or brook lamprey In a careful and well-documented study, Potter & Osborne (1975) showed that ammocoetes of sea lamprey could be distinguished from those of river or brook lamprey by the different pigmentation patterns and morphology, and gave excellent diagrams and descriptions. In sea lamprey, the entire oral hood was pigmented, although the intensity diminished towards the lower edge of the upper lip. In contrast, in river and brook lamprey, although the upper part of the oral hood was dark and well pigmented, this did not extend as far as the edge of the upper lip. In sea lamprey, the deeply pigmented area in the caudal regions was reported to reach almost to the base of the ventral surface of the body, in contrast to river and brook lamprey. In sea lamprey, pigment spread from the body into the caudal fin and second dorsal fin, in contrast to river and brook lamprey, where it was generally limited to a thin strand along the base of the fin, except in occasional large brook lampreys, when pigment cells could be found in the fin itself. Differences in caudal fin shape were also reported between sea lamprey and river or brook lamprey, but Potter & Osborne (1975) considered these to be only apparent in larger individuals, and never an easy diagnostic character to apply.Trunk myomere counts were found to be able to provide an unambiguous corroboration of identification – the counts ranged from 69–75 in sea lamprey, but only 57–66 in river and brook lamprey. Although Potter & Osborne’s (1975) work was based on formalin-preserved specimens, Gardiner et al.
Recommended publications
  • Pacific Lamprey My Scientific Name Did You Know? Entosphenus Tridentatus Zzpacific Lampreys Spawn Between March and July
    external pharyngeal (gill) slits anterior dorsal fin posterior dorsal fin buccal papillae caudal fin tail PacifIC Lamprey My ScientifIc Name Did you know? Entosphenus tridentatus zzPacific lampreys spawn between March and July. Males and females both construct nests--known as redds-- by moving stones with their By the Numbers mouths. Adults typically die within 3-36 days after spawning. As adults, we lamprey range in size from about 15 to 25 zzAfter larval lamprey (ammocoetes) hatch, they drift downstream to inches. We have been caught in depths ranging from areas with slower water velocity and fine sand for them to burrow 300 to 2,600 feet, and as far as 62 miles off the west into. Ammocoetes will grow and live in riverbeds and streambeds for coast of the United States! 2 to 7 years, where they mainly filter feed on algae. zzThe metamorphosis of Pacific lamprey from ammocoetes into How to Identify Me macropthalmia (juveniles) occurs gradually over several months. I belong to a primitive group of fishes that are eel-like That’s when they develop eyes, teeth, and emerge from substrate to in form but that lack the jaws and paired fins of true swimming. This transformation typically begins in the summer and is completed by winter. fishes. I have a round, sucker-like mouth, no scales, and seven breathing holes on each side of my body instead zzJuvenile lampreys drift or swim downstream to the estuaries of gills. I also don’t have any bones; my backbone is between late fall and spring. They mature into adults during this made of cartilage, like the stuff that makes up your ear! migration and when they reach the open ocean.
    [Show full text]
  • Learning Lessons About Lampreys Don Orth
    Learning Lessons about Lampreys Don Orth 11 American Currents Vol. 43, No. 3 LEARNING LESSONS ABOUT LAMPREYS Don Orth Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia Lampreys are simple fish that leave me with many ques- tiative emerged. Will the Pacific Lamprey ever recover? The tions. Lampreys and hagfishes are genetically very similar Lost Fish movie tells an all too familiar story (Freshwaters and represent the oldest living groups of vertebrates (Fig- Illustrated 2015) of the loss of important fish populations ure 1). These two lineages of Chordates arose well before the before scientists even have a chance to discover their distri- appearance of jawed fishes. Lampreys and hagfish persisted butions and uniqueness (Carim et al. 2017; Wade et al. 2018). through at least four of five mass extinction events on Earth. Joni Mitchell’s lyrics from “Big Yellow Taxi” seem appropri- How did they survive when most other marine organisms ate here. perished? What does their presence today indicate? “Don’t it always seem to go Studies of evolutionary history tell us that the appear- That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone ance of the cranium, eyes, pineal gland, inner ear, olfactory They paved paradise rosettes, lateral line, large brain, and muscular heart, were And put up a parking lot” first evident in the lamprey. In fact, the body form of lam- A common genus of lampreys in eastern USA drainages preys is essentially the same as a 360 million-year-old fos- is Ichthyomyzon, which includes six species. Ichthyomyzon sil lamprey (Gess et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of the River, Brook and Sea Lamprey Lampetra Fluviatilis, Lampetra Planeri and Petromyzon Marinus
    Ecology of the River, Brook and Sea Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, Lampetra planeri and Petromyzon marinus Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 5 Ecology of the River, Brook and Sea Lamprey Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 5 Peter S Maitland For more information on this document, contact: English Nature Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA Tel:+44 (0) 1733 455100 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 455103 This document was produced with the support of the European Commission’s LIFE Nature programme. It was published by Life in UK Rivers, a joint venture involving English Nature (EN), the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER). © (Text only) EN, CCW, EA, SEPA, SNH & SNIFFER 2003 ISBN 1 85716 706 6 A full range of Life in UK Rivers publications can be ordered from: The Enquiry Service English Nature Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA Email: [email protected] Tel:+44 (0) 1733 455100 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 455103 This document should be cited as: Maitland PS (2003). Ecology of the River, Brook and Sea Lamprey. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 5. English Nature, Peterborough. Technical Editor: Lynn Parr Series Ecological Coordinator: Ann Skinner Cover design: Coral Design Management, Peterborough. Printed by Astron Document Services, Norwich, on Revive, 75% recycled post-consumer waste paper, Elemental Chlorine Free. 1M. Cover photo: Erling Svensen/UW Photo Ecology of River, Brook and Sea Lamprey Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers This account of the ecology of the river, brook and sea lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis, L.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Lampreys Zebra Mussels Asian Carp
    Invasive Species Threats to the North American Great Lakes Sea Lampreys Asian Carp What are Sea Lampreys? Zebra Mussels What are Zebra Mussels? What are Asian Carp? •The sea lamprey is an aggressive parasite, equipped with a tooth-filled mouth •The Zebra Mussel is a small non-native mussel originally found in Russia. •The Asian carp is a type of fish that includes four species: black carp, grass carp, that flares open at the end of its body. Sea lampreys are aquatic vertebrates • This animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a bighead carp, and silver carp. native to the Atlantic Ocean. transatlantic cargo ship and settled into parts of Lake St. Clair. •Adults may be more than 28 kg in weight and 120 cm in length. •Sea lampreys resemble eels, but unlike eels, they feed on large fish. They can •In less than 10 years zebra mussels spread to all five Great Lakes, •Originally, Asian carp were introduced to the United States as a management tool live in both salt and fresh water. Sea lampreys were accidentally introduced into Mississippi, Tennessee, Hudson, and Ohio River Basins. for aqua culture farms and sewage treatment facilities. The carp have made their the Great Lakes in the early 20th century through shipping canals. Today, sea •Many inland waters in Michigan are now infested with Zebra Mussels. way north to the Illinois River after escaping from fish farms during massive lampreys are found in all of the Great Lakes. flooding along the Mississippi River. •Asian carp are a tremendous threat to the Great Lakes and could devastate the Zebra Mussels in the Great Lakes lakes if they enter our Great Lakes ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • Jawless Fishes of the World
    Jawless Fishes of the World Jawless Fishes of the World: Volume 1 Edited by Alexei Orlov and Richard Beamish Jawless Fishes of the World: Volume 1 Edited by Alexei Orlov and Richard Beamish This book first published 2016 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2016 by Alexei Orlov, Richard Beamish and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-4438-8582-7 ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-8582-9 TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 1 Preface ........................................................................................................ ix M. Docker Part 1: Evolution, Phylogeny, Diversity, and Taxonomy Chapter One ................................................................................................. 2 Molecular Evolution in the Lamprey Genomes and Its Relevance to the Timing of Whole Genome Duplications T. Manousaki, H. Qiu, M. Noro, F. Hildebrand, A. Meyer and S. Kuraku Chapter Two .............................................................................................. 17 Molecular Phylogeny and Speciation of East Asian Lampreys (genus Lethenteron) with reference to their Life-History Diversification Y. Yamazaki and
    [Show full text]
  • The Freshwater Larva of the Primitive Agnathan, Cyclostome Chordate Known As the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus) and an Adult Dissection
    ‘AMMOCOETES’ : the freshwater larva of the primitive Agnathan, Cyclostome Chordate known as the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and an adult dissection Midsagittal section of lamprey adult Parker TJ, Haswell WA head John E.B. Baker, MIKROGEO Caudal fin 7 mm larva lV Anus & cloaca Oral hood around vestibule & mouth / Brain / Otic capsule / Gill slit / Dorsal fin / Notochord /Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord Olfactory naris & pit eyes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Buccal cirri or l ll lll oral papillae endostyle Heart / Liver / Pronephros / Typhlosole in intestine Velum 1-7 are the 7 visceral pouches separated by 8 arches with gill lamellae Oral area Pharynx trunk four cross sections of the Tail ammocoete seen as white dashed lines & roman numerals in the 2nd slide Cartilaginous skeleton of a cyclostome Chondrocranium supporting head & oral funnel apparatus Cartilaginous Branchial basket of adult lamprey Region of cloaca Caudal fin not ochord Dorsal fin cart. Ray- post. Dorsal fin n cart. Ray- ot oc ant. ho rd Pericardial Rasping keratinized tongue cartilage for cutting into body wall of host fish to suck blood & body fluids PROSENCEPHALON Telencephalon Diencephalon (Olfactory) w/ eyes Mesencephalon Pineal or 3rd eye Naris & olfatory sac Rhombencephalon cartilage Eyes, nonfunctional Nasohypophyseal in larvae pouch (‘ant. pituitary’) VELUM hood Buccal cirri or cartilage oral papillae Otic Vesicle – Inner ear Pronephros – dark area around esophagus and above heart Dorsal fin myomeres Spinal cord Notochord Esophagus arch8 Esop hagus Ventricle Atria arch7 Liver Sinus venosus Heart ‘kidney’ Otic Another 7 mm capsule ‘ammocoete’ larva eye Gall bladder cloaca velum eye Pronephros or Gall bladder ‘kidney’ heart esophagus four cross sections of another ammocoete seen as black lines & numerals in the wholemount slide at lower right Post cloacal tail 4 ‘head’ or oral area 1 ‘trunk’ 3 4 3 2 1 Branchial - Pharyngeal region 2 General Circulation: Red = oxygenated blood, Blue = CO2 rich blood Sinus Venosus Anterior Cardinal Vn Posterior Cardinal vn Common Cardinal Vn Dorsal Aorta Caudal Art.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Lamprey (Family Petromyzontidae) Diversity in North Carolina by The
    Lamprey (Family Petromyzontidae) Diversity in North Carolina By the NCFishes.com Team In North Carolina, lampreys constitute a small family of very evolutionary primitive fishes. Most people, including fishermen, are not aware of their existence, unless one is fortunate enough to observe a spawning aggregation in the riffles of a clear Mountain or Coastal Plain stream during the late Winter or early Spring or if one has hooked a large gamefish and wondered what sort of critter was attached to it looking like something out of a science fiction movie. Lampreys are eel-like in appearance being slender, slippery, and without scales or jaws. In fact, many people think that’s what they are – some sort of eel. However, lampreys, along with hagfishes, are the most primitive of all fishes, having been around for more than 300 million years. Lampreys range in size from about 100 mm for the smaller Least Brook Lamprey up to 1200 mm (almost 48 inches) and as big around as your fore-arm for fully-grown, adult, Sea Lamprey. In North Carolina, there are only five species (Table 1) which are widely distributed in many Mountain and Coastal Plain basins, but absent from the Piedmont (Maps 1-5) (Tracy et al. 2020). [Please note: Tracy et al. (2020) may be downloaded for free at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings/vol1/iss60/1.] [Note: see Supplemental Maps 1-3 , page 13, showing North Carolina’s 100 counties, 21 river basins, and 4 physiographic regions.] Lampreys are not known to occur in the Savannah, Pigeon, Watauga, or New basins; all other basins are known to have at least one species (Tracy et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Anatomy of the Lamprey
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- ubP lished Research US Geological Survey 2014 Anatomy of the lamprey ear: morphological evidence for occurrence of horizontal semicircular ducts in the labyrinth of Petromyzon marinus Adel Maklad University of Mississippi Medical Center Caitlyn Reed University of Mississippi Medical Center Nicolas Johnson USGS Bernd Fritzsch University of Iowa, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Maklad, Adel; Reed, Caitlyn; Johnson, Nicolas; and Fritzsch, Bernd, "Anatomy of the lamprey ear: morphological evidence for occurrence of horizontal semicircular ducts in the labyrinth of Petromyzon marinus" (2014). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 836. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/836 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- ubP lished Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Journal of Anatomy J. Anat. (2014) 224, pp432--446 doi: 10.1111/joa.12159 Anatomy of the lamprey ear: morphological evidence for occurrence of horizontal semicircular ducts in the labyrinth of Petromyzon marinus Adel Maklad,1 Caitlyn Reed,1 Nicolas S. Johnson2 and Bernd Fritzsch3 1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA 2Hammond Bay Biological Station, USGS, Great Lakes Science Center, Millersburg, MI, USA 3Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Abstract In jawed (gnathostome) vertebrates, the inner ears have three semicircular canals arranged orthogonally in the three Cartesian planes: one horizontal (lateral) and two vertical canals.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary Crossroads in Developmental Biology: Cyclostomes (Lamprey and Hagfish) Sebastian M
    PRIMER SERIES PRIMER 2091 Development 139, 2091-2099 (2012) doi:10.1242/dev.074716 © 2012. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: cyclostomes (lamprey and hagfish) Sebastian M. Shimeld1,* and Phillip C. J. Donoghue2 Summary and is appealing because it implies a gradual assembly of vertebrate Lampreys and hagfish, which together are known as the characters, and supports the hagfish and lampreys as experimental cyclostomes or ‘agnathans’, are the only surviving lineages of models for distinct craniate and vertebrate evolutionary grades (i.e. jawless fish. They diverged early in vertebrate evolution, perceived ‘stages’ in evolution). However, only comparative before the origin of the hinged jaws that are characteristic of morphology provides support for this phylogenetic hypothesis. The gnathostome (jawed) vertebrates and before the evolution of competing hypothesis, which unites lampreys and hagfish as sister paired appendages. However, they do share numerous taxa in the clade Cyclostomata, thus equally related to characteristics with jawed vertebrates. Studies of cyclostome gnathostomes, has enjoyed unequivocal support from phylogenetic development can thus help us to understand when, and how, analyses of protein-coding sequence data (e.g. Delarbre et al., 2002; key aspects of the vertebrate body evolved. Here, we Furlong and Holland, 2002; Kuraku et al., 1999). Support for summarise the development of cyclostomes, highlighting the cyclostome theory is now overwhelming, with the recognition of key species studied and experimental methods available. We novel families of non-coding microRNAs that are shared then discuss how studies of cyclostomes have provided exclusively by hagfish and lampreys (Heimberg et al., 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • ARCTIC LAMPREY Lampetra Camtschatica Tilesius, 1811 (Petromyzontidae)
    ARCTIC LAMPREY Lampetra camtschatica Tilesius, 1811 (Petromyzontidae) Global rank G4 (05Sep1996) State rank S4 (21Jun2005) State rank reasons The most commonly occurring lamprey in Alaska; widely distributed. Overall abundance and trends unknown, but often found with some local distinguishing characteristics at the species level, abundance. Threats are minimal, although a but arrangement of teeth is most useful at the commercial fishery for this species was initiated generic level; supraoral tooth bar with 2 large on the Lower Yukon River in 2003. Harvested for cusps, presence of posterial teeth, and sharp, subsistence use although level of harvest is well-developed tongue teeth. Ammocoetes currently undocumented. Systematics needs (larvae) usually gray above and lighter below study. (McPhail and Lindsey 1970). Length (cm) range 13-36, max. 62 Taxonomy Systematics and nomenclature debated; Reproduction previously recognized as Lampetra japonica; Spawning occurs in spring, generally late May- current correct name is L. camtschatica (see early July at water temperatures of 12-15°C sources in Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Subgenus is (Heard 1966). Female may spawn with more than Lethenteron, which has been regarded as a one male. Up to 100,000 eggs laid by female; distinct genus by some authors (but not by Page eggs hatch within a few weeks. Ammocoete stage and Burr 1991 or Robins et al. 1991). Closely lasts at least 1 year, possibly up to 4 years. related and likely ancestral to the nonparasitic Metamorphosis occurs in fall (Hardisty and Potter American brook lamprey, Lampetra appendix 1971, Scott and Crossman 1973). (synonym: L. lamottenii) and Alaskan brook lamprey, L.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Minnesota Lamprey
    Native lamprey vs Sea lamprey Cool facts One of Minnesota’s oldest citizens Minnesota’s five native lamprey species Lamprey’s lifestyle and body structure have remained almost the same for 250 have been here for thousands of years. million years! Native lamprey have lived in Minnesota since the last glaciers, 10,000 years ago. • Sea lamprey were first discovered in Lake Superior in 1946. Sea lamprey only gained Nest builders access to the upper Great Lakes when the Lamprey create nests in streambeds of cobble, gravel or coarse sand. Both the Welland Canal was constructed between males and females participate by slowly moving material around with their suc- Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in 1829. The Native lamprey tion cup mouths. When completed, the nest will be a clear, round depression a Native Minnesota canal circumvented the largest natural University of Minnesota, David Hansen few inches across. Several lamprey may share a nest. blockade to fish migration in the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls. Transformers Lamprey The ammocoete stage may last up to seven years before its metamorphosis into • Sea lamprey adults are larger because they an adult. The non-parasitic lamprey transform into adults during the autumn and are adapted to feeding off of large ocean stop feeding completely. When they change from a juvenile to adult, they de- fish, whereas smaller native lamprey are velop a suction cup like mouth, develop better eyesight and reproductive parts. adapted to smaller freshwater fish. Spawning takes place shortly after this transformation. Sea lamprey adult = 12 to 24 inches Silver lamprey = 9 to 14 inches The native parasitic lamprey transform from an ammocoete to an adult in the Chestnut lamprey = 8 to 10 inches early parts of summer, they then begin their parasitic feeding on fish.
    [Show full text]
  • Lamprey Dissection
    Lab Overview Concepts and definitions We will examine vertebrate morphology comparing the structure and function of systems and structural units among the major groups. This comparative method allows us to analyze the evolutionary history of structures. Evolution is the long term effect of the adaptation of a species to its environment (i.e. the change of function and structure) and is the product of natural selection. In this lab we will be able to trace the history of such adaptations and gain a better understanding of how an organism evolves. The study of morphology is useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships among organisms. Systematics is an ordered system for the study of relationships among organisms. There are three major components to systematics. Taxonomy is the naming of organisms. Classification makes statements about the relationships among organisms. There are different classifications. Phylogenetic reconstruction tries to reflect the evolutionary history of the group. Homology refers to an intrinsic similarity indicating a common evolutionary origin (shared ancestry). Homologous characters may seem unalike superficially, but can be proved to be equivalent by the following criteria: similarity of anatomical construction, similar topographic relations to the animal body, similar physiological function, and similar courses of embryonic development. Analogy means there’s a similarity of function or appearance in structures of two species not related. It is due to convergent evolution. Primitive character in an organism means that the character is similar to that of the ancestors of the organism or that it is shared by all living groups related to one another (e. g. five digit limbs).
    [Show full text]